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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Grassroots support for the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has gained fresh momentum as philanthropist Dr Madueke Ekoh spearheaded a wave of political mobilisation in Ihe-Shikeaguma Ward in Awgu Local Government Area of the state.
The development followed the unveiling of key party offices and community projects, including a new All Progressives Congress (APC) office and the “Tomorrow Is Here Movement” office in the area.
The event also featured a voter registration drive and the commissioning of a utility pitch at a local primary school, while Ekoh’s formal entry into the APC signalled what many observers see as a strategic alignment with the state government.
Ekoh, whose initiatives powered the projects, said his actions were driven by a deep commitment to community development and the wellbeing of his people.
“All the things I am doing for my people are just a demonstration of the love I have for them. What you have is supposed to be used for the good of others, to help move the people forward. There is nothing else that informed my decision other than to see other people happy and to see joy in their faces.
“The problem with our society is that we have a lot of structural decay, but people are doing what they can. Sometimes, we may not see the efforts being made because they have not yielded the results we expect.
“Some may think that because the government has not come to their locality to build a road, then it is not doing well; but, generally, that is not the case. The decay is so deep that it will take generations to fix.
“Peter Mbah is an astute individual with a genuine desire to see Enugu prosper. I have read about him and I have also met him. He wants to do things that will benefit society and he has laid structural frameworks that will sustain the state for a long time. Some of what he is doing may not even be visible now, but he is laying the infrastructural skeleton that will sustain life in the future.”
Representing the governor, the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Benedet Okoli, commended Ekoh for complementing the government’s efforts and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the area.
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“The message I have from the governor is that Madueke should continue to do his best for his people. Even before joining our party, he has been doing a lot to support the government of Enugu State. The governor is happy with him.
“Peter Mbah is a man of few words, but he delivers on his promises. He has told the people of Ihe that he is going to build a University of Education, and he will do it because the project is already captured in the budget.”
The National President, Tomorrow Is Here Movement, Chief Tony Okonkwo, said Ekoh’s move to join the APC would strengthen grassroots mobilisation and boost support for the governor ahead of future elections.
“We came to Ihe to thank you on behalf of the APC and on behalf of the governor for the role you played in the last election that produced Peter Mbah. We are encouraged by the assurances from your people that Ihe will deliver 100 percent in 2027, and we are taking that message back.
“We are here because of a man of like mind. You have a global figure in Ihe who saw the good work Peter Mbah is doing, and is replicating it here. He returned from abroad, met the governor, and decided to join the APC, so he can work in alignment with him.
“Peter Mbah has changed the face of governance in Enugu. We are seeing it in every sector. In education, for the first time, we are seeing about 33 percent budget allocation. We are seeing smart green schools across all wards, not just in urban areas. Very soon, work will begin at the University of Education in Ihe. The bus terminal at Aki na Ukwa Junction will also commence, while work is ongoing at the Agwu Games Village.”
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Enugu-Oke Ihe Autonomous Community, Igwe Martin Ibeziako, described Ekoh as a key driver of the community’s renewed political direction and closer ties with the state government.
“Madueke is a prime mover. What you are seeing here today is his doing and we are happy. He told me he wants to move closer to the government, and that is what he has done.
“As a community, we have been praying for a clear political direction, and now we have it. He is bringing our people nearer to the government and we are solidly behind the administration.
“We promise the governor that by 2027, we will give him about 95 per cent of our votes. If I say 100 percent, it may not be realistic because of possible void votes.”
